Vermont Resident Dies of Rare Lyme Disease Complication

A Vermont resident has died of a rare Lyme disease complication, called Lyme carditis.

The Franklin County resident, whose name, sex or age was not released, is the first person to die of Lyme carditis in the state.

Lyme carditis occurs when the disease bacteria moves into the heart tissue, and alters the normal heart rhythms, something the CDC says is called “heart block.” Along with the common symptoms of Lyme disease like body aches and a fever, those with Lyme carditis often have heart palpitations, shortness of breath and fevers.

In the following link CDC expert Dr. Forrester comments that 4-10% of Lyme patients get carditis. If we take the CDC’s estimate that 300,000 people contract Lyme each year, that’s 12,000 – 30,000 with Lyme carditis. Does that sound rare to you? https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/06/03/heart-problems-tick-borne-disease/(There are many tick borne illnesses besides Lyme that can cause carditis. An Ontario heart specialist is warning doctors to look for it as numerous people with heart symptoms were admitted to the ER two to three times before anyone even considered it. He also states many don’t get the bullseye rash or notice vague symptoms of fever and muscle aches.)